My culture cannot and should not be replicated aka culture appropriated.

If you are still blind and don't know what culture appropriation is, let me explain it to you. Culture appropriation is the borrowing of someone else's culture. No, no, actually, it's the "stealing" of someone else's culture and using it for yourself.

I used to think that the whole idea of "stealing" someone else's culture was crazy and that the term "culture appropriation" was overrated. I then realized that culture appropriation was an actual problem that the world paid zero attention to.

It sucks to see a group of people wear something or style their hair a certain way and get criticized for it, but on the other hand, another group does the same exact thing and is praised for it. Double standards much?

For many years, black people have worn cornrows and dreadlocks... This is something that black people have trademarked, something that we are known for. Something that you cannot steal.

Don't get me wrong, it's okay to appreciate our culture and give us our credit for our creativity, but when you are comfortable enough to steal it and rename it, there is a problem.

The next time you get ready to cornrow your hair, dreadlock your hair, or slick your baby hairs down, please remember that you did not originally come up with this and that you are seriously appropriating someone else's culture.